Heat extraction from salt gradient solar ponds for agricultural purposes
Salt gradient solar ponds combine low cost solar collection with long term storage for a variety of low temperature applications. Solar ponds are especially appropriate for agricultural applications in the Midwest, where the storage of solar energy collected in the summer can be utilized in the fall and winter months. The basic operating principles of solar ponds are briefly reviewed, and the expected cost of energy from solar ponds for various applications in the state of Illinois is estimated. During 1984 the effects of submerged heat exchange operation on the 1000 m/sup 2/ ANL Research Salt Gradient Solar Pond were investigated. The system was designed to simulate a grain drying operation, in which the temperature of the ambient air is raised 8-15/sup 0/C when is passes through the exchanger. Approximately 1.0x10/sup 11/ J (100 MMBtu) were extracted from the pond, and the operation had no adverse effects on the stability of the salt gradient.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 5955649
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-850240-1; ON: DE85006838
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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